A History of the RSC in 50 Objects (Online)

JESTER'S HAT WORN BY DAVID TENNANT

As You Like It, 1996

Director:  Steven Pimlott

Costume Designer: Ashley Martin-Davies

This was David Tennant's first production for the RSC. He played Touchstone, a jester. The costumes for this production were described as 'almost defiantly traditional' by one newspaper critic. This jester's hat is a good example of the traditional approach.

The set, on the other hand, was startlingly modern. A large stainless steel box was filled with a forest of poles. Lighting was used to suggest the colour and movement of the leaves. Pimlott set the first scene in the forest in a snow storm. This went against the usual depiction of a spring forest which is idyllic and safe for the exiled characters.